HAGERSTOWN – Washington County Commissioners will consider an update and funding request from the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, several public safety and infrastructure contract awards, multiple budget adjustments and discussions on potential legislative items when they meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13 in the county Administration Building.
A key presentation will come from Sarah J. Hall, director of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, along with board officers Jim Holzapfel, Ted Reeder and Justin Hartings, who will provide an update on museum operations and request support for fiscal year 2027.
Public Works Director Andrew Eshleman and Purchasing Director Maria Kramer will seek approval to apply for a grant from the state Department of Natural Resources, which aims to advance access to green spaces.
Purchasing Director Brandi Kentner, with Emergency Services Director David Hays and Deputy Director David Chisholm, will present a sole-source procurement for maintenance agreements covering LifePak monitors/defibrillators, automated external defibrillators and Lucas CPR devices.
The commission will also consider a contract for construction of the next phase of the county’s expansion of its solid waste disposal facility on Earth Care Road, presented by Kentner and Solid Waste Deputy Director Dave Mason.
Additional infrastructure items include a contract award for the Highfield Water Development project, presented by Environmental Management Deputy Director Joseph Moss.
Emergency Services Director R. David Hays, Deputy Director David Chisholm, Washington County Fire and Rescue Association President James L. Sprecher Jr. and Volunteer Coordinator Oley Griffith will seek approval for an additional nine firefighter positions in fiscal year 2026.
Further agenda items include:
- An update on the memorandum of understanding for the paramedic program, presented by Hays and Deputy Director Kevin Lewis.
- A budget adjustment for the state Homeland Security grant, led by Human Resources Director Chip Rose and Emergency Management Director Alan Matheny.
- Several budget adjustments for airport operations, the 540 Western Maryland Parkway project and the Smithsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant, all presented by Budget and Finance Deputy Director Zane Garrett.
- Consideration of a tax differential, presented by County Administrator Michelle Gordon, Chief Financial Officer Kelcee Mace, and Garrett.
The board will also discuss potential legislative items with County Attorney Zachary Kieffer.
A closed session will address personnel matters, including appointments to the Building Code Board of Appeals and the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board; discussions of open positions and compensation; consultations on legal matters; pending or potential litigation; and a vendor contract breach dispute.
The meeting is open to the public. Citizens may submit comments on agenda items or other county business via email to [email protected] or directly to individual commissioners. A complete agenda is available here.
